Santa

Today we took Olivia to see Santa.  We didn't know what to expect.  We weren't sure if she would cry or what.  We went to the Vines Botanical Gardens for Breakfast with Santa.  It was great.  It was not crowded at all and we didn't have to wait long to see Santa at all.  I admit I got a little emotional because I was feeling so blessed to take Olivia to see Santa for the 1st time.  She did great! She didn't cry- I don't think she knew what to think at all.  I think she asked Santa for some teeth- lets see if he delivers that! Then after we saw Santa we had breakfast and Olivia sat in a restaurant style high chair.  She loved it.  She played with her keys and dropped them a million times.  She also kept checking out our plates.  I let her try some grits.  She loved them and ended up taking a few bites.  It was such a nice morning to spend as a family!!

Outside Vines Mansion

Waiting to see Santa

The big moment...

No smiles but at least we got a look!

Sitting in the high chair being a good girl!

Trying some grits!

yummy!

I liked them- I really did!

Outside at Vines Botanical Gardens

Olivia saying dada!

Growing up way to fast!

Olivia is growing up way too fast.  Today she was definitely talking more and saying Dada.  Even though there is no correlation between her saying it and making the connection to daddy, I am thankful she started making some consonant and vowel sounds.  I admit I was getting a little worried.  I was reading an article the other day that talked about gross and fine motor skills in babies.  They say usually babies are dominant in one or the other.  Olivia is definitely more dominant in the gross motor skills- crawling and pulling up etc.  Fine motor skills are her weakness.  She does fairly well picking up things- stacking cups, blocks, teething toys, opening and closing books but when it comes to picking up small things like Cheerios etc. she has a hard time- at least getting them into her mouth.  She is getting better though.  We know it just takes practice.  So this self feeding thing may take awhile.  She has improved with the bottle holding but still needs support.  But time is just flying by and everyday she does something new!

Playing with my magnets!

Olivia and Jake - best friends

Olivia and Jake are best friends.  She loves to look at him, smile and sometimes even laugh at him.  She loves to watch him run up the stairs! Why?  I have no idea! Jake now loves that Olivia drops food on the floor for him.  So they have a mutual agreement to be best friends.  Jake has now claimed the recliner as his new bed.  Often Jake throws his bed around and it gets taken away, so now he loves the recliner.  Olivia loves to crawl over to the recliner and pull herself up and tap at him.  Here are some funny pictures from today...

Hi Jake!

I am going to touch your paw ok?

Oh no! Jake got Olivia first- time to sit down...

Just kidding...I am dancing for you! I love you Jake!

Olivia telling daddy it is coffee time!

Last Day of November

Where did November go? Gosh time flies.  I can't believe that tomorrow is December 1st! Well I thought this whole standing in the crib thing was cute- not so much.  Her nap in the afternoon has gotten shorter- way shorter.  The past 2 days it was only 45 minutes.  I kind of rely on her taking longer then that so I can get some school work done and housework done.  That 45 minutes goes by quick! I have tried to let her cry it out the past 2 days but that doesn't seem to work.  I have rocked her the past 2 days and she did fall asleep and of course when I lay her down in the crib she wakes up! But I guess that it just part of growing up!

She had a pretty good day and held her dinner bottle for about 95% pf the time and held her bedtime bottle about 70% of the time.  We are getting there! She also picked up one Cheerio and it made it to her mouth! I was so excited! Finally! I know it was just one but one is better than none!

Holding my bottle!

My really bad formula hair- at least I held the bottle mom!

Playing with my activity table!

Olivia standing in crib and some da da da